Wednesday

May 8, 2019 at 10:25 AM

Tyra Banks and her smize have returned.

The model, TV producer, actress and businesswoman came out of retirement for the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, appearing on the cover for the third time. Banks is featured on one of three covers for the issue.

This is for everybody that has been told that they are not good enough because of their body, their age, their everything.#BanX is here to tell you that you ARE friggin’ fierce no matter what anybody says!Drop mic now!@SI_Swimsuit 2019pic.twitter.com/bgUqGunhAe

— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks)May 8, 2019

“My first one was 23 years ago, how crazy is that,” Banks said on Good Morning America earlier today after her cover was revealed. “I’m like damn — I’m 45 dog!”

In 1997, Banks was the first black woman to appear alone on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Her first cover in 1996 was shared with model Valeria Mazza.

"Since Tyra’s first cover in 1996, she’s transformed herself into nothing less than a mogul, a cultural force and a supernova of inspiration and empowerment," SI Swimsuit Editor MJ Day said, according to People. "She’s kind of the Swimsuit Issue ethos come to life, everything we know this franchise can be."

The shoot also recreated the polka-dot bikini look from Banks's first solo cover.

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“I never thought it would be possible to be 45 years old and on the cover of this magazine again.” @tyrabanks is embracing her age and curves for #SISwim 2019. • • • @grandisleresort @visitthebahamas #grandisleresortexuma